SMART
Services for SMEs in collaborative transport research projects
Partners:
- Ctech S.r.l.
- Econet S.L.
- Innostart
- CIDTG
- ELSAG DATAMAT S.p.a.
- FTO Sustainable Solutions
Objective:
The European SMART project was funded under the 7th Framework Programme with the aim of improving the participation of SMEs in research projects under the Transport Work Programme.
The main objective of the SMART project is to connect Regional SME Clusters to facilitate networking and SME involvement in transport R&D projects.
35 Regional Clusters were contacted in the context of the various activities carried out and 10 of them
they formally committed to the project by signing an MoU.
Another objective was to raise awareness of the SMART action and train SMEs on EU funding mechanisms.
Three IntraCluster events and training sessions were organized. 123 SMEs participated in these IntraCluster events.
The creation of a pre-classified/pre-qualified database of SMEs operating in the transport sector or in research areas with transport applications has been assessed as an effective way to facilitate the involvement of SMEs in European R&D projects. Over 150 stakeholders are registered in the SMART database, of which 86 are SMEs. Large organizations have been the subject of both general awareness-raising actions and targeted communication activities. 13 large organizations are registered in the SMART database.
SMEs were supported in submitting proposals for their own project ideas, and 6 project ideas seeking partners were submitted via the SMART portal.